To Request Council of Presidents to Clarify Circumstances of Called Worker Removal or Resignation from Roster

WHEREAS, The Church, as instituted by her Lord Jesus Christ, publicly calls both commissioned and ordained ministers according to good order (Eph. 4:11–12); and

WHEREAS, Every called worker solemnly promises to serve God’s people in accordance with Holy Scripture and with our Lutheran Confessions (LSB Agenda, 166, 212); and

WHEREAS, Every called worker likewise promises to adorn the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a holy and godly life (ibid.); and

WHEREAS, There is a public nature to the work undertaken by those who serve the Church (Matt. 5:16; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2–4), as such a task includes exemplifying the faith for those they serve to see and emulate; and

WHEREAS, Though rare, shameful and scandalizing cases have arisen, in which called workers are found to be unfit according to the scriptural requirements (Rom. 12:3–8; Col. 3:12–17; 1 Tim. 3:1–7; 4:1–5, 14–16) of those serving in called positions in the Church,whichrequirearemovalorresignationfromtheofficeheld; and

WHEREAS, Such cases are publicized to the Church in a straightforward but question-inspiring manner, which gives way to justifiable curiosity, concern, and, worse, speculation or rumor; and

WHEREAS, Those who have been removed or have resigned from called positions and from the roster that once qualified them to publicly teach God’s Word in our midst at times move to other organizations or church bodies despite their being found unfit according to God’s clear standards, thus further scandalizing the Church and sowing confusion; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Council of Presidents (COP) confer and compose a process by which the removal or resignation of called workers from the roster of the Synod, and the nature there of (e.g., false doctrine, immoral life, inability to serve—omitting details), will be more clearly relayed to the wider Synod, taking into consideration Bylaw sections 2.13 and 2.17, with particular attention to Bylaw 2.13.2.1 (a–c); and be it further

Resolved, That the COP, in their work, consider relaying the status of the called worker (restricted, suspended, or under investigation) at the time of the removal or resignation from the roster.